Did some research on my '17 RTL-T & though I've not had tranny issues y'all have me spooked. If I were to sell/trade for a more current model btw 2020 & 24 which yr & model should I try to find ? Tks folks
Spooked on 6 speed tranny
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Navydave
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I go with the newest, all updated.. your paying alot of money either way.
I was whining about something with my car the other day, and my wife said "Just get a new one". I wouldn't want a new one.
The sales tax alone on a new $50,000 car is $4125 (8.25% in CA). Add depreciation and you're a lot of the way towards the cost of a new transmission.
I imagine with my 2019 RTL-E, I'm going to start seeing costly electronics fail and that will be the catalyst for replacement. The radio has failed in every Honda I've owned, but luckily those were the days of the easy Radio Shack replacement. I don't know what happens when the Ridgeline Infotainment system goes.
On-topic, If I was scared of the transmission failing I'd probably be looking for the version with the bed speakers, before the auto start/stop, 2020+.
The sales tax alone on a new $50,000 car is $4125 (8.25% in CA). Add depreciation and you're a lot of the way towards the cost of a new transmission.
I imagine with my 2019 RTL-E, I'm going to start seeing costly electronics fail and that will be the catalyst for replacement. The radio has failed in every Honda I've owned, but luckily those were the days of the easy Radio Shack replacement. I don't know what happens when the Ridgeline Infotainment system goes.
On-topic, If I was scared of the transmission failing I'd probably be looking for the version with the bed speakers, before the auto start/stop, 2020+.
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I guess I was acting like a grandfather long before I became a grandfather.
The 1994 Toyota pickup and the 2001 Toyota Avalon were great until big pending repairs came the same summer.
So three years ago i got the RTL-E and barring getting totaled, it will probably go to a grandkid.
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Totally agree that newer vehicles are more efficient and require less maintenance. The downside reality is that when a new vehicle requires service it will be very expensive and most likely require special diagnostic tools. For example my ‘21 RTL-E Honda Sense cam failed. This camera is a $1200 part and requires another $800 in labor to install and calibrate.
I bought a new 2023 RTL-E in the fall of 2022. It's been a great truck so far. There have been a couple of hiccups in the transmission, but I am hoping those don't indicate future trouble. I will probably get an aftermarket warranty as the factory powertrain warranty is expiring. Good luck!
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No matter what you decide it will cost you! A used vehicle will Cost more to up keep with repairs and maintenance as it gets older. newer vehicles cost more with less maintenance within the warranty period. You pay it now or you pay it later. Newer is more reliable! Mose of the time..good luck
Just picked up a new 2025 black edition for $9,000 off sticker
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I'm still using my SE after 7 or so years (phone made in 2016). I found the last remaining Apple battery for my phone at UBreakit I Fix It last year and it's still working fine. My friends call me cheap, I think I'm frugal
Check out new - and consider extended warranty. I went through the same exercise for same reason 10 months/10,000 miles ago and don’t regret at all. Improved hood, paddle shifters, ZF transmission, locking tailgate, TrailSport pkg, new styling, wider opening rear door - and hasn’t been back to dealership for any warranty issues. I do tow trailers so the warranty gives me a lot of peace of mind that was lacking with a 2018 RTL-E. I thought my dealer gave me a good number on the trade so you might be surprised too and get to choose between a ‘25 or ‘26. Good luck!
One little known factor which is important to me and probably some others--2017-19 can be placed into neutral from inside the cab if the battery is dead, which has been the norm. I think starting in 2020, you need a special tool and know how to use it, and most important--you need access to get at the spot where you use the tool. I don't know all the details, but when I park in the garage I don't have access to the front end. When my battery died in the garage, I was able to release the transmission lock and shift to neutral, then push the truck back until I could open the hood and replace the battery. I think on a 2020 or after, I'd need a tow truck to drag my truck, skidding all the way, back far enough to open the hood.
And I happen to think the 2017-19 looks a lot better, but more importantly, with the newer front end I've read that it is more difficult to know where the front end is so parking is a bit harder.
And I happen to think the 2017-19 looks a lot better, but more importantly, with the newer front end I've read that it is more difficult to know where the front end is so parking is a bit harder.
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Agree and disagree ! I drove plenty of 60s, early 70s vehicles with zero 'tech' (of course) vs new vehicles. However despite the extraordinary complexity of new vehicles and heavy, heavy reliance on solid state electronics- the maintenance interval on them is much longer than the old days. Reliability of all that modern componentry is unbelievably high, though not infallible. I worked in the high rel electro-mechanical packaging design/production industry for decades. Everything in that field has improved dramatically, otherwise our modern vehicles would be complete garbage.. Sure the old all steel vehicles - steel frame, heavier gage steel body, steel suspension components- were more 'robust' - like if you drove through a 18" deep pothole. Maintenance/repair on them was onerous; annual tuneups, plugs, points, condenser, grease (zerk) fittings everywhere, 3k mile oil changes, carbs (!) , seemed like I was always replacing starter motors and radiators, water pumps, fuel pumps, belts, hoses, etc...Exhaust systems that rusted to pieces, and on, and on.... Yes, they were generally easier to troubleshoot and repair, that's true. And no I am not bashing them, I love the classic cars and still dabble with getting another 60's vintage Mustang (had a '67). Then and now, entirely different animals.
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Link to one of a couple of threads here on the forum
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in hindsight I wish that would have been my game plan, considered it but did not like the idea Honda had not made mods to replacement trans to correct their mess. If I were in the market for a used ridgeline, I would try to buy before a 24, those push buttons sux, having to mash brake pedal to shift gears is very aggervating when you need to move pronto! that console sux.
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I have it on my 2022 rtl-e and it sucks too
To not get the buttons you would have to buy pre-2020 because thats when they corrected the 6 speed mistake and moved to the 9 speed.
Those push buttons do suck but my transmission has been solid so I can live with it. I still have the bed speakers in the 2020 model also...use them on occasion.
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